My Soul Waits for the Lord
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Psalm 130
1. Out of the depths I cry to thee, O Lord! 2. Lord, hear my voice! Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications! 3. If thou, O Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? 4. But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. 5. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6. my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. 7. O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plenteous redemption. 8. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
I wasn’t sure where God would lead me this morning. I survived my first day back at work—“in the world.” I then went to the grocery store, since we had been gone for a week! Yes, reality had really set in by the time I got home last night! But it’s okay! It’s all good.
God is so faithful. He is so good. No matter where we are, literally or spiritually, He hears us when we call to Him. He is ever vigilant for the call of his beloved. The reference to the watchmen in this psalm summons a powerful image: the watchmen guarded the cities at night; they watched for the enemy, in case they were attacked at night and taken by surprise. The very lives of those in the city depended upon the watchfulness of the night watchmen, their trustworthiness and attentiveness. Even as we sleep, God watches over us.
Were it not for God’s gracious, loving forgiveness, we would indeed fear Him! Such power and might are frightening when not tempered with gentleness and mercy. But our God uses His power to sustain us and His might to guard our souls. He is more dependable than any earthly parent and more reliable than any security system you could ever install.
This psalm has a tone of resignation—not sadness or futility—but of complete acceptance that God is God and He is ever attentive. And He is the only source of strength when we are spent and tired and feeling far from His love. Call to Him. He will answer. And He will blanket you with that feeling you had when you were a little child and you had a bad dream and your Mom or Dad came in and hugged you and told you they would stay with you until you fell asleep. It’s been a long time since I experienced that, but I still feel that comfort and security. My God offers it.
Psalm 131
1. O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. 2. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother's breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul. 3. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
God is God. And He is powerful and mighty, full of love and comfort. Full of grace. Our hope is in Him.
My prayer is that you spend your day ever hoping in the Lord who never sleeps, never falters, never fails to forgive and comfort.
Mary
